About Altrugene

Humane, Scalable Solutions to Animal Overpopulation

Altrugene is pioneering a new frontier in animal population control with the development of scalable, humane, and effective contraceptive vaccines for wild and stray animals. Driven by a mission to replace outdated methods like culling and surgical sterilization, Altrugene was founded to answer a long-standing challenge: how can we control animal overpopulation ethically, at scale, and with lasting impact?

Improving on Current Immunocontraceptives

Our work began with efforts to improve the performance of existing immunocontraceptives, such as GonaCon and porcine zona pellucida (PZP), which have shown promise in suppressing reproduction in species like feral pigs, wild horses, and stray dogs. However, these tools are limited by the need for multiple doses and variable duration of effectiveness across species. 

In some animals, contraceptive effects last just over a year—far too short for meaningful population impact. Altrugene is working to overcome these limitations by developing delivery platforms that require only a single dose and provide longer-lasting effects across a broader range of species. We are building the tools needed to deliver durable, single-shot fertility control for wild animal populations, safely and at scale.

Protecting Livestock Through Disease Prevention

Beyond managing overpopulation, Altrugene is also focused on reducing the spread of infectious diseases from wild animals to domestic livestock. Wild boar, for example, present a growing threat to the U.S. swine herd, acting as carriers for viruses that could devastate agriculture. 

Our dual-purpose vaccines are being designed to not only induce sterility but also to protect against key pathogens by including antigens that trigger immunity. This includes antigens for viruses that affect pigs and chickens, as well as rabies, which remains a serious concern in many wild and stray animal populations.

Transforming Companion Animal Sterilization

Our third area of focus is on addressing the overpopulation crisis in stray and companion animals—especially dogs and cats—through an alternative to surgical spay and neuter procedures. 

These procedures, while effective, are costly, resource-intensive, and difficult to scale in underserved areas. Altrugene is working to create a safe, single-dose contraceptive vaccine for companion animals that could revolutionize how municipalities, rescue groups, and communities around the world manage stray populations humanely and affordably.

A Science-Driven Path Forward

At Altrugene, we believe in a future where animal population control is smarter, kinder, and more effective—and we’re building the tools to make that future real.

Altrugene is currently working to develop the skills and techniques required to engineer viral vectors for the delivery of therapeutics. Current work involves the use of disarmed Adeno Associated Virus (AAV) to transfect fluorescent proteins (GFP) into select cell lines. Optimization of GFP production in infected cells will help inform the proper delivery mechanism for future therapeutics.

Subsequent efforts will involve the identification of targeted species-specific viral vectors that could be used to distribute future therapeutics throughout wild animal populations in a safe and controlled manner.